‘I started praying, but I just kept going’: Man who performed CPR on victim in fatal shooting outside Pockets speaks out

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV) - A witness who tried to save the life of the man who was shot and killed overnight Saturday in the parking lot of Pockets Pool and Pub in Tallahassee is speaking out days after the shooting.

The Tallahassee Police Department confirmed to WCTV on Tuesday that Jay Williams was on the scene Saturday night and performed CPR on Javies Moate in an attempt to save his life.

Williams said in an interview with WCTV on Tuesday that he just did what came to mind in the moment.

The shooting unfolded early Saturday, just after 2 a.m. in the parking lot outside the pool hall. Williams said he was at the pockets with friends when he heard what he describes as “popping” coming from outside.

“We walked down there and we were in disbelief. We see buddy down there layed on the ground, he was gasping for air,” he said.

Williams says he ran over without hesitation and started performing CPR on Moate. He had never met him before, but knew he needed help in that moment.

“I was the first one to run up there, and I laid him on his back, and I just immediately started doing CPR on him,” he said. “At that time, I did what my grandma always taught me. I started praying, but I just kept going. I never stopped pumping.”

Unfortunately, his efforts were not enough to save Moate’s life.

Williams says Moate’s family learned through social media about his efforts to help when he says others around him were too afraid to step in. He says Moate’s mother thanked him for trying.

“She was just, you know, thanking me because in their eyes all they’d seen was people recording this man, which is, you know, in our eyes is disrespect, you know, because nobody wants to see their loved one online like that”, he said.

In a statement sent to WCTV on Tuesday, Moate’s family said, “He was a loving father to his kids, a hard worker, a friend to all, and a brother that showed you that you can enjoy life for what it was, he was my icon. He will always be here with us.”

TPD says they are still following leads in this case, and no arrests have been made as of Tuesday evening. They are asking anyone with information to come forward.

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